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GAINESVILLE - With their biggest archrival next on the schedule, the Florida players are relieved to have picked up the season's sixth victory against South Carolina on Saturday night. Otherwise, this weekend's game against FSU would have been a must-win for the Gators to become bowl eligible.
Considering Florida (6-4) hasn't won at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1986, that's not the kind of pressure the Gators wanted to put on themselves.
"Definitely, it was a big focus," junior center Mike Degory said. "We wanted to get this win and just play wide open, and not have to worry about it when it's a rivalry game."
Coach Ron Zook said it's important the Gators give their best against FSU, but one thing they won't concern themselves with is the officiating. Last season's game was marred by several questionable calls against both teams, prompting Florida athletic officials to call for a neutral officiating crew.
"That's water under the bridge," Zook said. "Our guys have been pretty good about dealing with things they had no control over. We won't bring it up. We've got to go play."
INJURY UPDATE: Center David Castillo practiced with the middle and ring fingers on his right hand heavily taped together, the result of an injury during FSU's first offensive play Thursday in a 17-10 win over North Carolina State.
He is scheduled for an MRI exam today but said any surgery would likely wait until after FSU's bowl game. His availability for Saturday's game will be evaluated through the week.
"I guess the biggest question mark we have is Castillo," coach Bobby Bowden said. "We worked him (Monday) just to see if he could snap the ball, and from what I saw, he did. I don't know what that means yet."
Castillo said one finger was dislocated, a tendon was torn and the tip of the other was broken. He returned against N.C. State, but Brian Ross took over with about four minutes left in the first quarter and played the rest of the game.
"Brian Ross did a good job, (I was) very pleased," Bowden said.
Sophomore John Frady , who started the first two games while Castillo nursed a shoulder injury, could be available, but Bowden said Frady is expected to earn a medical hardship redshirt. Frady dislocated his elbow in practice Sept.29 and has not played since.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?: It's already up in bold garnet lettering, but come Saturday, the football field will be officially named Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium.
"They wanted to do it about five or six years ago, but I said it would probably be better after I'm gone (from coaching)," Bowden said. "I'd still be okay with that, but if the school can benefit financially I'm for it."
Still, he concedes it will be "weird" to run out on a field bearing his name.
"It will be knowing that you have a game," he said. "You're hoping it won't distract and it shouldn't. It's kind of like somebody giving you something and you haven't won the game yet."
LEAK HONORED: UF quarterback Chris Leak was named the SEC offensive player of the week. Leak was 18-of-31 for 319 yards and a career-high six touchdowns in the 48-14 win over South Carolina. The TD passes tied a school record for an SEC game. Leak, a sophomore, leads the SEC in passing yards per game (270.4), total offense (275.6), touchdown passes (27) and total touchdowns accounted for (29).
WAIT AND SEE: It likely will be at least another week before Florida fans and players know who will coach the bowl game. Florida officials said they want Zook, but he said he's not looking beyond Florida State. Athletic director Jeremy Foley said he has not had a formal conversation with Zook about the bowl situation but plans to meet with him next week. "You know how Zooker is. He's focused on FSU only," Foley said.
WEEKLY AWARDS: Defensive end Chauncey Davis shared ACC defensive linemen of the week honors with North Carolina State's Mario Williams . Davis had six tackles, four for loss.
- ANTONYA ENGLISH and BRIAN LANDMAN, Times staff writers, ZACHARY SPAIN, Times correspondent